South Africa October 2019: VW T-Cross breaks into Top 10 in first market uptick in 6 months (+0.2%)

The VW T-Cross is now in the SA Top 10. Picture autoadvisor.co.za

New vehicle sales in South Africa end a streak of 5 consecutive year-on-year drops in October with a very shy 0.2% uptick to 51.978 units, leading to a year-to-date tally down -3.1% to 450.268. Toyota (+2.6%) is the best-selling manufacturer in the country as usual with 26.3% share vs. 24.4% YTD, distancing the Volkswagen Group (+6.1%) at 18.3% vs. 16.5%, both carmakers clearly outpacing the market. In contrast, Nissan (-27.9%), Ford (-14.2%) and Hyundai-Kia (+0.3%) under-perform. Suzuki (+46.6%) and Renault (+26.1%) post the largest year-on-year gains in the entire Top 12, with the BMW Group (+5.7%) also solid in the Top 10. Newcomer Haval remains at #12 with 1.6% share, with Peugeot-Citroen (+246.6%) and FCA (+65.7%) also outstanding.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (+30.6%) posts a 14th consecutive monthly win while scoring the largest gain in the Top 5 and cementing its YTD leadership, while the VW Polo Vivo (-2.5%) is back above the VW Polo (-7.2%) to the #2 spot it also holds YTD. The Ford Ranger (-29.9%) manages to remain in 4th place despite a steep fall, while the new Toyota Hiace breaks into the Top 5 for the first time above the Isuzu D-Max and Toyota Corolla Quest. The Ford Ecosport (+125.5%) more than doubles its sales year-on-year and is up 9 ranks on September to #8 while the VW T-Cross is up 4 to break into the South African Top 10 for the fist time at #9.

Previous month: South Africa September 2019: Suzuki (+37.2%) shines, VW T-Cross up to #13 in 5th straight market fall (-1%)

One year ago: South Africa October 2018: Toyota Hilux and Yaris strong, market up 1.7%

Full October 2019 Top 37 All-manufacturers and Top 250 All-models below.